Look In The Mirror, Rep. Varese

Republican state Rep. William J. Varese of Monroe has only himself to blame for Gov. John G. Rowland's suggestion that he think twice about running for office again.

Mr. Varese's two arrests for driving after drinking are embarrassing to his party and the legislature. His troubles help undermine confidence in public officeholders.

Yet Mr. Varese has had the audacity to speak out against a bill lowering the legal limit for drunken driving from a blood-alcohol level of 0.10 percent to 0.08.

A year ago, he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired after his blood-alcohol level was 0.84. On March 11, police slapped Mr. Varese with the more serious charge of driving under the influence after he left a Bridgeport striptease club and smashed his car into five parked vehicles.

After his most recent arrest, Mr. Varese reluctantly abstained from voting against the blood-alcohol-level bill in the Judiciary Committee. He had been asked to do so by Sen. Edith G. Prague, whom he accused of trying to make political hay out of his ``dilemma.''

What understandably provoked the governor's remark earlier this month was the report that Mr. Varese has managed to hold on to his driver's license through a technical flaw in the police report on his latest arrest. To Mr. Rowland, Mr. Varese was benefiting from a loophole, even though he still faces the drunken-driving charge. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal went one step further and charged that the Department of Motor Vehicles erred in letting Mr. Varese have his license.

Mr. Varese's fitness to remain in office also has been questioned by state Republican Party Chairman Chris DePino. So far, Mr. Varese has apologized for his most recent arrest and says he has obtained professional help. He also says it is too soon to decide whether he will seek re-election and hopes his constituents will forgive him. That's not enough. Mr. Varese should not leave that choice up to his constituents. He should take a long, hard look in the mirror and consider on his own whether, under the circumstances, he can continue serving them effectively.